Local Solutions rolls out shopping service

Local Solutions, a social enterprise that helps vulnerable people, has opened its second Shopmobility store in Liverpool city centre, in Land Securities' St Johns Shopping Centre.

The new service, supported by Liverpool's retail business improvement district, will complement Local Solutions' service in Grosvenor's Liverpool One.

The Shopmobility will enable local shoppers to access the city centre more freely by hiring electric scooters and powered wheelchairs.

Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside and chairman of the Commons Transport Select Committee, officially launched the new shop, on George's Way. The new store will also sell various mobility aids such RADAR keys for toilets for disabled people, a selection of aids and adaptations including folding walking sticks and rain covers and there will be a selection of information about services and organisations that can support people with restricted mobility.

Steve Hawkins, Local Solution's chief executive, said: "Our mission at Local Solutions is to improve the quality of life, especially of the most vulnerable in our community. This new service at St Johns will complement the Shopmobility at Liverpool One to ensure that fewer older and disabled people are excluded from our wonderful city centre. I congratulate Land Securities and City Centre Management for their foresight in recognising the needs of our more vulnerable citizens – it is so good to see that Liverpool remains above all, a caring city."

Ged Gibbons, Chief Executive of City Central BID, said: ''It's vital we make it as easy as possible for people of all abilities to navigate through Liverpool city centre and shop with ease. This end of the city centre has huge footfall with Queen Square bus station and Lime Street and Central train stations so we're delighted to support this Shopmobility service at St Johns. It will be an invaluable resource and an important element of making Liverpool a first class customer friendly city.''